Vegetables protect you from lung cancer

The odds are 50-50 you were born with a gene that prevents lung cancer. But even if you were not you can protect yourself just by eating certain vegetables.

That is the good news from a top medical researcher, who says the special gene stimulates production of an anticancer enzyme called glutathione transferase.

“About half the population has the gene. To produce this chemical and half do not,” revealed Dr. Gary Williamson.

“This may be why some people can smoke all their lives, never develop lung cancer and die in their sleep at the age of 90.”

Those who are not blessed with the gene can still get the benefits of glutathione simply by increasing their intake of broccoli, cabbage and sprouts, revealed Dr. Williamson, a biochemistry department head at the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, England.

These members of the Brassica vegetable family also contain other chemical compounds to boost the body’s defences against several types of cancer, he added.

Similar benefits can be obtained by eating onions and garlic.

Studies at the institute found that most people think they eat more vegetables than they really do.

“To some people, a slice of tomato would qualify as a portion,” said Dr. Williamson.